Cause for Paws - Climbing to the Roof of Africa

Cause for Paws…..Climbing to the roof of Africa to help keep a roof over their heads.

My name is Siobhan. I am 63 years old. In 2019 I turned 60 and I had recently found my love of fitness and I was feeling fit and strong. I decided to sign up to climb Kilimanjaro, known as the Roof of Africa.

I was due to do this climb in 2020 but Covid meant it got pushed back. The climb is going ahead on June 20th. Initially I was doing this climb to celebrate a significant birthday and to challenge my fitness. Now I am doing it as a fundraiser for a cause very close to my heart.

Late last year I saw a story on social media that touched my heart. A local animal rescue centre Cork Animal Care Society had rescued a mother cat and her six kittens who were only days old. They were frozen, filthy and hungry. I followed their progress and saw the lengths this organisation went to in order to save mother Beverley and her tiny kittens. They all survived. I was very impressed with the love and care Beverley and her six kittens received. I decided that I would take one as a companion for my young cat Gatsby. I visited the centre and I could not believe the comfort and care the animals received. They were handled and much loved and fed generously. The six little kittens were thriving and playing happily. They all had been given names, the one I chose was called Bobby and they affectionately referred to him as their little “love bug”.

This is a non profit organisation. It does not get funding and relies on the generosity of the public.

This climb I am taking on is a massive challenge. I think of Beverly and her six tiny kittens who clung to life until they were found and brought to Cork Animal Care Society. This climb will challenge me. I will struggle but it will be nothing compared to how this mother and her six babies struggled.

Please consider donating something to this fabulous organisation. This is just one story of the great work they do. There are many more. I adopted Mr Darcy (formerly Bobby) and it is very obvious the love and care he got from Cork Animal Care Society.